Sept. 10 (theories and questions) - -Give Lectures-Answer...

Sociology – September 10, 2008 Theoretical Perspectives in Social Psychology-A question is not a theory-Definition: A theory is a set of interrelated propositions that organizes and explains a set of observed phenomena-Theories help us to interpret and predict social behavior Overview of Theories-Role theory-Reinforcement theory-Cognitive theory-Symbolic interaction theory o FOR EACH THEORY, WE WILL CONSIDER ASSUMPTIONS, KEY CONCEPTS, EXAMPLES, AND LIMITATIONS. Role Theory-Assumptions: “All The World Is A Stage” o If we know “who is who” in the cast, then we can make sense out of what is going on-Key Concepts: role expectations, role salience, role conflict-Example Role Expectations for a Professor

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Unformatted text preview: -Give Lectures-Answer Questions-Assign Grades Other Limits To Role Theory-Roles do provide shortcuts to familiarity but they are superficial o Who is the person behind the role? o Adults pay multiple roles-Roles are most salient in formal relationships o Less so for informal ones, e.g. friendships, where they are fewer shortcuts to familiarity Reinforcement Theory -Assumptions: people make rational choices. o Approach and avoidance-Key concepts: negative vs. positive reinforcement, benefits and costs-Examples: Verplunkes experiment on opinion expressing-Limits: extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation...
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